PA Game Commission Approves Game Land Drilling

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The state’s Game Commission has approved the drilling of three natural gas wells on state-owned game lands to tap the lucrative Marcellus Shale formation in northern Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners approved the $6.7 million deal with Endless Mountain Energy on April 12. Under the agreement, Endless Mountain can drill on part of State Game Land 268 in Morris Township, Tioga County.

The game commission will also gain control of about 580 acres adjacent to game lands in McKean County.

The commission also approved three other mineral rights contracts involving state game lands. Executive director Carl Roe says drillers already had operations on adjacent properties and could drain the gas beneath the game lands anyway.